ESenEM Yoga Flagstaff — Local services in Flagstaff

I just finished a 30 day trial at Esenem yoga here in Flagstaff, AZ. Though every staff member I interacted with was friendly, helpful, and super kind, I would highly discourage any one from practicing yoga here for many reasons. I have been practicing yoga for 10 years and completed my yoga teacher training in 2018. First off, 95% of the classes here are their Hot60 which is a moderate leveled flow. Teachers literally read from a script. This signature flow is not intuitive, it is choppy, does not work the body in a balanced way, and barely has a warm up or cool down. The flow moves so quickly, one does not have anytime to work on subtle alignment adjustments to actually feel the benefits of the poses. The teachers have no time to give instructions, and if I wasn't as experienced as I was coming into the class, I would have been totally lost. There's not way for a student to advance a pose, because the teacher says "if you know bird of paradise you can let it fly!!" instead of teaching students how to move into more advanced versions of poses. Not having appropriate counterposes, or taking time to let the body cool down is unsafe for the body. Secondly, I went to a few of the other non Hot60 classes, and though I would 100% recommend Bri as a teacher, she's the only teacher here that I could recommend. One of the classes I went to with another teacher, their Carve class, was so unmindfully put together, if I didn't know yoga or know how to move my body, I surely would've gotten injured. These classes are not set up with safety in mind, and they surely are not set up with the intention of what yoga calls for. Mindfulness in the body, moving through postures so prana can flow and blockages can be released, moving safely as an act of love towards the body, not because everyone looks super cute in their yoga outfits. I bless everyone here at the studio, but will never return and discourage...

You rarely see yoga studios with a low 4 stars and I figured it could’ve been a few angry people a long time ago. I also like to give benefit of the doubt and grace for even an owner in a customer service based industry to have a bad day, but based on other reviews, there’s a pattern. I’m really sorry I have to write negatively about a small business regardless of whether they gave me completely wierd vibes from the second I walked in. Especially in a space that is supposed to feel so “zen” and nonjudgmental etc., this is the epitome of the mental health yogi problems and why yoga can have a bad reputation. I feel like I’ve never walked into any work out place—where I’m supposed to be in their building for a period of time and take their instruction—and felt like this. So, amidst a humid and stuffy lobby (yes, even for a hot yoga studio), the front desk girl was not necessarily welcoming and even the little chair signs with something to the effect of ‘do not sit here if you are wet’ struck me oddly. Not her fault though, culture starts from the top down. The room was nice with 3 walls of mirrors but very dark—could’ve opened the curtain for some natural light. Teacher was good enough and I got a good sweat. When I walked out the deranged S&M name suddenly made sense. Will try the other hot yoga studios in the area, not that I would be welcomed back to this one anyway. By the way I did not see any “organic” amenities as per other review: I was surprised to smell a toxic bleach smell of sorts in the mat spray when laying down at the end of class, and the Gatorade and pearly soap is just a...

This studio is the first yoga studio I am more than excited to return to week after week. I’ve tried a few others in Flagstaff and in other cities that I’ve lived in, but nothing compares to this studio!

I’ve done hot yoga only once before signing up for the 30 day package in January. I was a bit intimidated at first, but any unsettled feelings soon dissipated after my first class with Jessica. It was physically challenging, but the emotional and mental minds were at ease the entire time. I felt supported, encouraged, and totally comfortable to lay in child’s pose or corpse pose if things got too intense.

I also am really enjoying Brea’s yin class on Sundays (and now also Fridays)! Her energy is so warm and welcoming, sweet and easeful as she guides the meditative candlelit class. She’s so friendly and accommodating with her students and also has a cute dog that greets you at the desk!

If you are on the fence about trying out this studio in town, I highly recommend you give it a go!! Even if you’re a beginner yogi, or you’ve never been to a yoga class, or absolutely new to hot yoga, this place is a great place to start on...